CALIFORNIAN: Onstage musical honors iconic 'Oz' movie

Finding someone who has never seen the classic movie musical
"The Wizard of Oz" seems nearly impossible.

Based on the L. Frank Baum children's novel "The Wonderful
Wizrard of Oz," published in 1900, the movie that launched Judy
Garland into the stratosphere of super-stardom, surely has become
one of the most cherished of all motion pictures.

Several stage adaptations of the story about a young Kansas
girl's adventures beyond the rainbow and quest to find her

home have surfaced over the years, before and after the 1939
release of the popular movie. However, the productions that
received the most favorable reviews from theater audiences were
those that more closely mirrored the film.

People know the movie "The Wizard of Oz," and they know it well.
So when they go see a stage version, they have expectations. If you
are one of those people who cherish "Oz" and love live theater,
prepare to relive a treasured childhood

memory.

Produced by Theatre Royale, "The Wizard of Oz" will be performed
live onstage Friday through Aug. 2 at Lakeside High School's Rotary
Performing Arts Center in Lake Elsinore.

Theatre Royale, the multiple award-winning troupe responsible
for theatrical productions, including "Les Miserables," understands
the profound love people feel for "The Wizard of Oz."

Actor Coley McAvoy (appearing in the adult cast as the Tin Man)
shared his insightful thoughts and opinions about the show,
produced, directed, and designed by Scott King.

"King's production values are always amazing," McAvoy said. "He
really strives for authenticity. And his goal from the beginning of
this project has been to put the movie, exactly as we remember it,
right onstage."

From the moment audience members enter the theater McAvoy said
they'll find it easy to agree with how well this production
reflects the movie.

"All our set pieces, including the farm, Munchkin Land, and
Emerald City, look very much like those in the film," McAvoy said.
"And my Tin Man costume is no exception. It's made out of real
metal. I mean, I originally expected just silver leotards."

Avalon Penrose (Dorothy from the youth cast), an eighth grader
at Margarita Middle School, mentioned, "Even though our show is
very much like the movie, we do have some added dance sequences.
One of them is featured during the scene when the flying monkeys
attack Dorothy and her friends. That scene is so much fun."

"There's a dance in the poppy field, too," said Linfield
Christian School junior Joy Lakey (Glinda the Good Witch, youth
cast). "And near the end of the first act, Glinda sings a song
that's not in the movie."

When discussion shifted into nostalgic territory, the younger
members of the cast were rather tongue-tied. One has to be over the
age of about 30 or so to identify with the annual telecast of "The
Wizard of Oz."

Believe it or not, there was life before cable, video and DVD,
the internet, and TiVo. Prior to the invasion of those inventions,
commercial television and movie theaters were it.

Back then movie-lovers had to wait for everything they watched.
Occasionally, 16mm copies of selected movies would surface. But
regarding the once-a-year tradition of watching "Oz" on TV,
anticipation shared by millions -- especially children -- was
intense.

Each spring, the movie was an awe-inspiring experience for
McAvoy. The actor vividly envisions his childhood memories of
watching "Oz."

"It was a special event I loved because each year it brought my
family together," he said. "And 'Oz' was part of my education,
too.

"When I was in elementary school back east, students were always
given fun Oz-related projects to work on during the week of the
telecast. We made cool Scarecrow figures out of Popsicle sticks,
molded clay Tin Men, and sang 'Over the Rainbow.'"

Impressively, cast members too young to have experienced those
annual telecasts still put in their two cents.

"I think 'Oz' was always televised in the spring because that's
the time when everything's fresh and full of color," Penrose said.
"It's like Dorothy's dream about a big, colorful world that's brand
new to her."

After admitting she wasn't around for the annual telecasts,
Lakey indicated, "I do have memories of watching the movie

with my family, so it has been a lot of fun bringing it to life
onstage."

Then the generation gap widened just a bit more. McAvoy began to
describe our current lifestyle as an era of extreme immediacy.

"'I want what I want when I want it, which is now,'" he said.
"That's the attitude of today. I mean, the days of anxiously
looking forward to the next TV broadcast of 'Oz' are long gone.
Back then we appreciated every bit of detail of that movie, and not
just because we loved it -- we knew we had to wait another 12
months before seeing it again."

And how did he endure the year-long wait?

"We actually had to use our imaginations," he said. "Today is a
different world. My two sons have a DVD of "Oz" at home, and they
watch it anytime they want. Okay, fine."

After mentioning his two children, both appearing as Munchkins,
McAvoy acknowledged the excitement they share.

"The boys and I enjoy being in the show together," he said.
"They don't fully identify with my nostalgic feelings. But we're
all appreciating the experience."

Clearly, the performers enjoy working hard on a good show. But
perhaps even more so, they're excited by the opportunity to share
their completed project with audiences.

"During my research, I learned that the Academy of Arts and
Sciences has estimated that 'The Wizard of Oz' is one of the most
watched movies of all time," McAvoy said. "That makes me proud to
be part of this show."

"Working on this play has been a great experience, especially
for the little kids. They have been so focused," Penrose said. "We
hope that families get together and join us as we relive a wondrous
childhood tradition."

Other than a source of good, clean entertainment, "Oz"
communicates valuable themes, which the performers proudly
acknowledged.

"I think people sometimes feel unsatisfied and have a habit of
wanting and wishing for more," Lakey said. "But they should not be
surprised if they find that what they thought they needed was
always right there in front of them."

McAvoy stressed that being close to family and recognizing the
importance of home are important lessons communicated throughout
the story. He also recognized the healing power of escapism.

"We all need that occasional escape from the pressures and
disappointments we sometimes face in life," he said. "That's when
our imaginations kick in, when we allow ourselves to step out of
the boundaries of reality and embark on a magical journey."